Joshua Jackson on Dawson and mourning James Van Der Beek’s death
Joshua Jackson, who co-starred with James Van Der Beek on dawson’s Creek, made his first public comments about Van Der Beek’s death and described his mourning as an “ongoing” process nearly one month after the actor’s passing. Jackson spoke on the Today show on Tuesday and reflected on their years together and on what Van Der Beek meant to his family.
Joshua Jackson on Dawson’s Creek memories
Jackson said he and Van Der Beek shared “this very amazing time” across six seasons of Dawson’s Creek from 1998 through 2003. He called those years “formational” for both of them and said he looks back on that period with “great fondness. ” Still, Jackson emphasized that he considered himself “really just a footnote” compared with what Van Der Beek achieved in his life.
Joshua Jackson on James Van Der Beek as husband, father and man
Jackson described Van Der Beek as “a good man” with “belief” and “faith” that helped him face the impossible with grace. He praised Van Der Beek as “an unbelievable partner and husband” and “a beautiful, kind, curious, interested, dedicated father. ” Jackson tied those qualities directly to the difficulty of Van Der Beek’s loss for his family.
Kimberly Van Der Beek, the family’s GoFundMe and public responses
Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly announced his death in an Instagram post that said he “passed peacefully this morning” and that he met his final days with courage, faith and grace. Friends created a GoFundMe page for Kimberly and their six children, and Kimberly shared the link on her Instagram stories asking for support with “gratitude and a broken heart. ” The GoFundMe said the family faced “significant financial strain” while supporting James through his illness and that donations would help cover essential living expenses, bills and the children’s education.
The fundraising surpassed its initial target: the GoFundMe had raised more than US$2. 6 million of a $1. 5-million goal from more than 50, 000 donations. Notable contributions included a $25, 000 donation from director Steven Spielberg and a monthly $2, 500 gift from actor Zoe Saldana.
Emilia’s remembrance on James Van Der Beek’s birthday
On what would have been James Van Der Beek’s 49th birthday, his and Kimberly Van Der Beek’s daughter Emilia shared a message about grief and how she is honoring her father. Emilia, who is 9, said she talks to him “every day” after his death, a personal response that Jackson’s public remarks sit alongside as the family and friends mark his absence.
Van Der Beek died on Feb. 11 at the age of 48, a little over a year after being diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Jackson returned to the private scale of mourning in his Today show appearance, noting that as a father he feels the enormity of the tragedy for Van Der Beek’s family in a different way than as a colleague. For now, the family continues to receive public and financial support through the GoFundMe campaign, which has raised more than US$2. 6 million to help Kimberly and their six children as they navigate the months ahead.
